UPDATE: After upgrading to Java 8.60 it works (Java 8.50 was installed)
My problems are gone with AMD driver update to Catalyst version 14.9 (AMD Radeon R9 280)
With older versions (13.251 & 14.3) I had problems with render distance greater 12, now it's all fine even with distance 32
After reading the issue links I examined my Minecraft environment.
This is a short description of the appearance of the bug:
1) Using Minecraft launcher with Java 8.50 and AMD driver 14.12 -> no problems
2) Updating AMD driver to 15.7.1 lead to my bug report (which I recognized not immediately, because I didn't played Minecraft at the time of the update)
3) Updating to Java 8 Update 60 (x64) helped, but why?
The Minecraft launcher log (still) says "ystem.getProperty('java.version') == '1.8.0_25'"
I always used my "game link" which leads to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\MinecraftLauncher.exe". And there is only a runtime java 1.8.0_25 in it... - I'm totally confused.
Even F3 in game says 1.8.0_25 (see attached screenshot)